Free Project | Crochet Activity Toys by Svetlana Golova

Crochet Activity Toys is hitting the shelves VERY soon, so we thought that we'd treat you to a free project to keep you busy until then!

Crochet Activity Toys by Svetlana Golova is the perfect book to learn how to make adorable and engaging toys for your little ones. Not only will they stimulate little minds, they will also become a special keepsake to cherish for years to come.

So, without further ado, here's the FREE project from the upcoming Crochet Activity Toys by Svetlana Golova.

Elephant Stacker Toy from Crochet Activity Toys

The patterns are written in US terminology.

This stacking toy is designed so that it can't be assembled incorrectly; the rings have different diameters, and the central rod is cone shaped. The toy itself will teach young learners how to play with it, so it is ideal for a first acquaintance with stacking rings.

Project Notes

All pieces, unless otherwise indicated, are crocheted in continuous spiral rounds.

For the Ridged Ring Rounds 9, 12, 15, and 18, the Legs Round 7, and the Arms Round 6 you will need to join rounds in the back loop of previous rounds. To do this, insert the hook into the next stitch as usual and in the remaining back loop of the previous round as noted in the pattern. Grab the yarn with your hook and pull it through the back loop and through the stitch (two loops on hook). Slightly tighten the pulled loop so that the back loop and the stitch are closer. Yarn over and pull through both loops to complete the single crochet stitch. Repeat all round.

You Will Need:

YARN

4-ply sport weight semi-cotton or cotton in the following shades:

• 21/8oz(60g)ofgray • 1⁄2oz(15g)ofcream • 1/8oz(5g)ofyellow

HOOK

US size B/1 (2mm) crochet hook

OTHER TOOLS AND MATERIALS

Stitchmarkers
Polyesterstuffing(Iusedabout2oz (60g), but you may need more)
Tweezersorwoodenstickfor stuffing
Blunt-endedyarnneedle
Blackandpinkthreads for embroidery
Thinsewingneedle
Optional:pieceofrattlecellophane (or baking sleeve) for rustling effect, ball rattle to insert into head

FINISHED SIZE

6in (15.5cm) without cap, 71/8in (18cm) with cap

LARGE RING

Using gray, ch42 very loosely, join with slst into a ring.
Round 1: 1 sc in all back
bumps of chain. (42 sc)

Round 2: 3 sc, inc, [6 sc, inc]
5 times, 3 sc. (48 sc)
Round 3: [7 sc, inc] 6 times. (54 sc) Round 4: 4 sc, inc, [8 sc, inc]

5 times, 4 sc. (60 sc)
Round 5: [9 sc, inc] 6 times. (66 sc) Round 6: 5 sc, inc, [10 sc,
inc] 5 times, 5 sc. (72 sc)
Round 7: [11 sc, inc] 6 times. (78 sc) Round 8: 6 sc, inc, [12 sc,
inc] 5 times, 6 sc. (84 sc)
Rounds 9 to 14: 84 sc. (6 rounds) Round 15: 6 sc, inv dec, [12 sc,
inv dec] 5 times, 6 sc. (78 sc)
Round 16: [11 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (72 sc)
Round 17: 5 sc, inv dec, [10 sc,
inv dec] 5 times, 5 sc. (66 sc)
Round 18: [9 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (60 sc)
Round 19: 4 sc, inv dec, [8 sc,
inv dec] 5 times, 4 sc. (54 sc)
Round 20: [7 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (48 sc)
Round 21: 3 sc, inv dec, [6 sc,
inv dec] 5 times, 3 sc. (42 sc)
Rounds 22 to 24: 42 sc. (3 rounds) Slst to join. Fasten off, leaving 351⁄2in (90cm) end for sewing (1).
Thread yarn end into yarn needle. Fold ring flat so both edges are touching and join with double whip st (2), stuffing as you sew. With about a quarter left unstitched, stuff to end and sew completely. Secure yarn end and hide inside (3).

CONE

Using gray, make a magic ring. Stuff cone tightly as you crochet. Add more stuffing in bottom of cone to keep bottom ring tight. Round 1: 6 sc in ring.

Round 2: [Inc] 6 times. (12 sc) Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times. (18 sc)

Round 4: 1 sc, inc, [2 sc, inc]
5 times, 1 sc. (24 sc)
Round 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30 sc) Round 6: 2 sc, inc, [4 sc, inc]

5 times, 2 sc. (36 sc)
Round 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times. (42 sc) Round 8: 42 scBLO.
Round 9: [5 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (36 sc)
Rounds 10 to 12: 36 sc. (3 rounds) Round 13: [4 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (30 sc)
Round 14: 30 sc.
Round 15: [13 sc, inv
dec] twice. (28 sc)
Round 16: 28 sc.
Round 17: [5 sc, inv dec]
4 times. (24 sc)
Rounds 18 to 23: 24 sc. (6 rounds) Round 24: [4 sc, inv dec]
4 times. (20 sc)
Rounds 25 to 32: 20 sc. (8 rounds) Round 33: [8 sc, inv dec] twice. (18 sc) Rounds 34 to 38: 18 sc. (5 rounds) Round 39: [1 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (12 sc)
Round 40: [Inv dec] 6 times. (6 sc) Cut yarn, leaving 6in (15cm) end. Tighten loops. Secure yarn end and hide inside (4).

RING WITH RIDGED ROUNDS

Using cream, ch36 very loosely, join with slst into a ring.
Round 1: 1 sc in all back
bumps of chain. (36 sc)

Round 2: [5 sc, inc] 6 times. (42 sc) Round 3: 3 sc, inc, [6 sc, inc]
5 times, 3 sc. (48 sc)
Round 4: [7 sc, inc] 6 times. (54 sc) Round 5: 4 sc, inc, [8 sc, inc]

5 times, 4 sc. (60 sc)
Round 6: [9 sc, inc] 6 times. (66 sc) Round 7: 66 scFLO.
Round 8: 66 sc.

Round 9: *Insert hook in next st
and remaining back loop of Round 6 (5). Grab yarn and pull through back loop and st (two loops on hook). Slightly tighten pulled loop so back loop and st are closer, yarn over, pull through both loops to complete st; rep from * to end. Rounds 10 to 18: Rep Rounds 7 to
9 three more times. (9 rounds) Round 19: [9 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (60 sc)
Round 20: 4 sc, inv dec, [8 sc,
inv dec] 5 times, 4 sc. (54 sc)
Round 21: [7 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (48 sc)
Round 22: 3 sc, inv dec, [6 sc,
inv dec] 5 times, 3 sc. (42 sc)
Round 23: [5 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (36 sc)
Rounds 24 to 26: 36 sc. (3 rounds) Slst to join. Fasten off, leaving 271⁄2in (70cm) end for sewing (6).
Sew and stuff as for Large Ring (7).

SMALL RING

Using gray, ch30 very loosely, join with slst into a ring.
Round 1: 1 sc in all back
bumps of chain. (30 sc)

Round 2: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36 sc) Round 3: [5 sc, inc] 6 times. (42 sc)

Round 4: 3 sc, inc, [6 sc, inc]
5 times, 3 sc. (48 sc)
Round 5: [7 sc, inc] 6 times. (54 sc) Round 6: 4 sc, inc, [8 sc, inc]

5 times, 4 sc. (60 sc)
Rounds 7 to 11: 60 sc. (5 rounds) Round 12: 4 sc, inv dec, [8 sc,
inv dec] 5 times, 4 sc. (54 sc)
Round 13: [7 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (48 sc)
Round 14: 3 sc, inv dec, [6 sc,
inv dec] 5 times, 3 sc. (42 sc)
Round 15: [5 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (36 sc)
Round 16: [4 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (30 sc)
Rounds 17 and 18: 30 sc. (2 rounds) Slst to join. Fasten off, leaving 271⁄2in (70cm) end for sewing.
Sew and stuff as for Large Ring (8).

HEAD

Using gray, make a magic ring. Round 1: 6 sc in ring.
Round 2: [Inc] 6 times. (12 sc) Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times. (18 sc) Round 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24 sc) Round 5: 24 scFLO.

Rounds 6 to 11: 24 sc. (6 rounds)

Note: After Round 11, WS should be on outside (9). If necessary, turn out the piece so that RS is inside.

Round 12: [3 scBLO, inc]
6 times. (30 sc)
Round 13: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36 sc) Round 14: [5 sc, inc] 6 times. (42 sc) Round 15: 3 sc, inc, [6 sc,
inc] 5 times, 3 sc. (48 sc)
Round 16: [7 sc, inc] 6
times (10). (54 sc)
Rounds 17 and 18: 54 sc. (2 rounds) Round 19: 12 sc, ch12 very
loosely, skip 6 sc, 36 sc to end of round. (60 sts, including ch)
Round 20: 12 sc, 1 sc in each back bump of chain, 36 sc. (60 sc)
Rounds 21 to 29: 60 sc. (8 rounds) Round 30: 4 sc, inv dec, [8 sc,
inv dec] 5 times, 4 sc. (54 sc)
Round 31: [7 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (48 sc)
Round 32: 3 sc, inv dec, [6 sc,
inv dec] 5 times, 3 sc. (42 sc)
Round 33: [5 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (36 sc)
Round 34: 2 sc, inv dec, [4 sc,
inv dec] 5 times, 2 sc. (30 sc)
Round 35: [3 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (24 sc)
Stuff Head around concave area on Head with which it will be put onto Cone.
Round 36: [2 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (18 sc)
Add more stuffing as you close hole. Round 37: [1 sc, inv dec]
6 times. (12 sc)
Round 38: [Inv dec] 6 times. (6 sc) Cut yarn, leaving 6in (15cm) end.

Tighten loops. Secure and hide yarn ends inside.

TRUNK

Turn Head with concave area on top. Round 1: Join gray at end of opening

on side of head, ch1, 12 sc in ch (see 11 for direction of work), 6 sc in skipped sc of Round 19. (18 sc)

Note: To avoid holes in the side of the Trunk, when crocheting Round 1, on the 13th and 18th sc pick up the side sc (12).

Rounds 2 and 3: 18 sc. (2 rounds) Round 4: 11 sc, inv dec,
3 sc, inv dec. (16 sc)
Rounds 5 to 7: 16 sc. (3 rounds) Round 8: 10 sc, inv dec,

2 sc, inv dec. (14 sc)
Rounds 9 and 10: 14 sc. (2 rounds) Round 11: 12 sc, inv dec. (13 sc) Round 12: 13 sc.
Round 13: 11 sc, inv dec. (12 sc) Round 14: 10 sc, inv dec. (11 sc) Round 15: Inv dec, 9 sc. (10 sc)
Cut yarn, leaving 8in (20cm) end. Stuff Trunk. Add more stuffing to top part of Trunk using tweezers or wooden stick. Tighten loops. Secure and hide yarn ends inside.
Sew any holes on side Trunk, with separate piece of yarn. Hide yarn ends inside (13).

COLLAR

Work in joined rounds.
Join yellow to any remaining front loop of Round 11 on Head at edge of concave area (14). Beginning from same loop, work Round 1 of Collar on remaining front loops, ch1.
Round 1: [3 sc, inc] 6 times,
slst in first sc to join. (30 sc)
Round 2: Ch2, beginning from same st as slst, [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] 15 times, slst in first dc to join. (45 sc) Round 3: Ch2, beginning
from same st as slst, [2 dc in
next st] 45 times. (90 sc)
Invisible fasten off.
Weave in yarn ends.
Spread out Collar (15).

EAR (make 2)
Using gray, make a magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring.
Round 2: [Inc] 6 times. (12 sc) Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times. (18 sc) Round 4: [5 sc, inc] 3 times. (21 sc) Round 5: Ch8, beginning in 2nd
ch from hook, 7 sc (move marker
in first sc to mark start of round),
1 sc around post of last st in 4th round (16), cont crocheting through main round (21 sc), 6 sc in 2nd
side of chain, inc (17). (37 sc) Rounds 6 to 8: 37 sc. (3 rounds)

Note: The start of the round should be on the side of the Ear.

Left ear:
Round 9: 17 sc, inv dec,
16 sc, inv dec. (35 sc)
Round 10: 17 sc, inv dec,
14 sc, inv dec. (33 sc)
Round 11: 17 sc, inv dec,
12 sc, inv dec. (31 sc)
Round 12: 17 sc, inv dec, 10 sc,
inv dec, slst to join. (29 sc)
Fasten off, leaving 271⁄2in (70cm) end for sewing.
Right ear:
Round 9: Inv dec, 16 sc,
inv dec, 17 sc. (35 sc)
Round 10: Inv dec, 14 sc,
inv dec, 17 sc. (33 sc)
Round 11: Inv dec, 12 sc,
inv dec, 17 sc. (31 sc)
Round 12: Inv dec, 10 sc,
inv dec, 17 sc. (29 sc)
Slst to join. Fasten off, leaving 271⁄2in (70cm) end for sewing (18).

LEG (make 2)
Using gray, make a magic ring.

Round 1: 8 sc in ring.
Round 2: [3 sc in next st,
3 sc] twice. (12 sc)
Round 3: [3 inc, 3 sc] twice. (18 sc) Round 4: [Inc, 1 sc] 3 times, 3 sc, [inc, 1 sc] 3 times, 3 sc. (24 sc) Round 5: 24 scFLO.
Round 6: 24 sc.
Round 7: 24 sc in both loops
of Round 6 and remaining
back loop of Round 4.
Round 8: 24 sc.
Round 9: [1 sc, inv dec] 3
times, 15 sc. (21 sc)
Round 10: 21 sc.
Slst to join. Fasten off, leaving long end for sewing.
Push Rounds 1 to 4 inside Leg (19).

ARM (make 2)
Using gray, make a magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring.
Round 2: [Inc] 6 times. (12 sc) Round 3: [3 sc, inc] 3 times. (15 sc) Round 4: 15 scFLO.
Round 5: 15 sc.
Round 6: 15 sc in both loops
of Round 5 and remaining
back loop of Round 3.
Round 7: 15 sc.
Round 8: [3 sc, inv dec]
3 times. (12 sc)
Rounds 9 to 16: 12 sc. (8 rounds) Stuff Arm slightly.
Row 17: Flatten Arm, work 5 sc through both layers to join (20). Push Rounds 1 to 3 inside Arm (21). Fasten off, leaving long end for sewing (22).

CAP

Using cream, make a magic ring. Round 1: 6 sc in ring.
Round 2: [Inc] 6 times. (12 sc) Round 3: 12 sc.

Round 4: [Inv dec] 6 times. (6 sc) Change to yellow. Stuff top of Cap using tweezers or wooden stick. Rounds 5 and 6: 6 sc. (2 rounds) Round 7: [2 sc, inc] twice. (8 sc) Round 8: [3 sc, inc] twice. (10 sc) Round 9: [4 sc, inc] twice. (12 sc) Round 10: [3 sc, inc] 3 times. (15 sc) Round 11: 15 sc.

Slst to join. Invisible fasten off, leaving long end for sewing (23).

ASSEMBLY

Check that rings and Head fit easily onto Cone. If rings are too tight, stretch them slightly on the inside. Sew Ears on sides of Head with mattress st, between 12–25th rounds of Head counting from above, and about 10–11 sc from Trunk (24). Optional: When half of the Ear is sewn on, insert a piece of rattle cellophane (or baking sleeve into it for a rustling effect.

Do not stuff Ears. Secure and hide yarn end inside (25).
Sew Cap on one side of top of Head with backstitch. Stuff Cap as you sew (26).
Using a thin needle, embroider eyes 2 rounds high and 1 to 1.5 sc wide with black thread (27) on 18–19th rounds of Head (counting from above). Distance between eyes is
10 sc, and from eyes to ears about 10 sc.

Using pink thread, sew a couple of blush stitches (27) about 2 sc long one round below eyes.
One round above eyes make 2 sc long diagonal eyebrow stitches (27). With WS of last row facing up, sew Arms onto Small Ring in middle of height using mattress st. The distance between Arms is about 16 sts from front and about 32 sts from the back (28).

Using mattress st, sew Legs to Large Ring, with distance between Legs about 16 sts. Stuff Legs as you sew (29).

Optional: To make a tail on Large Ring, join gray to ring (opposite Legs), ch20, beginning in 2nd ch from hook, 19 slst along chain, surface slst in st on ring. Fasten off, secure and hide yarn end inside. Insert Cone in Large Ring and stack other parts in order.

To see more images, extra tips and crochet techniques, click the project link below!

Crochet the adorable Elephant Stacker toy now.

Want more just like this? Why not sign up to Bookmarked Hub. It's quick and easy, and did we mention FREE?

That's right, there's no better time to get stuck in with everything that Bookmarked Hub has to offer. Register here!

About the Author

Svetlana Golova

Svetlana Golova is a crochet designer specialising in designing crochet patterns for interactive...

More details